简单化 (jiǎn dān huà) — to simplify; to oversimplify

Definition

A verb meaning 'to simplify (something)' — turning it into something simpler. Often carries a critical tone: the example 不要∼这个问题 shows it can also mean 'to oversimplify' when too much is lost.

verb
to simplifyto oversimplify

Examples

  • 简单化，。
    Zhè ge fāng àn bèi jiǎn dān huà le, shī qù le hěn duō xì jié.
    This plan was oversimplified and lost a lot of details.
  • 简单化，。
    Wǒ men yīng gāi bǎ liú chéng jiǎn dān huà, tí gāo xiào lǜ.
    We should simplify the process to improve efficiency.
  • 简单化，。
    Bú yào jiǎn dān huà zhè ge wèn tí, tā hěn fù zá.
    Don't oversimplify this issue; it's very complex.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

简单simple
简jiǎnsimple单dānsingle
联合Side by side
化huàmake

化 makes 简单 (simple) into an action, to simplify.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 簡; 简 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
竹竹zhú
Sound part声符shēngfú
間
閒xián簡jiǎn
Same sound today

In the traditional form 簡, 竹 (bamboo) is paired with 間 (also written 閒) as a sound part; the simplified 简 is a later shorthand.

Open 简 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 單; 单 is its simplified writing.

The form 單 originally pictured a Y-shaped wooden stick with two stones on top.

Open 单 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

化 shows two person figures, one upright and one upside down, to give the idea of reversal or change.

Open 化 →

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